Large new retail project for Daytona Beach, Fla.

DAYTONA BEACH -- A retail shopping center with two large buildings is being planned at the southeast corner of Williamson Boulevard and Hand Avenue in Ormond Beach.

Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. recently applied to the St. Johns River Water Management District for a stormwater management permit covering 32 of the company's 73 vacant acres at the intersection.

The company wouldn't say whether either of the buildings are leased, but it is working with the developer that is building Kohl's Department Stores in the area.

The company is getting the site pre-permitted, and completing wetland and environmental studies, Chief Financial Officer Bruce Teeters said Tuesday. "It is not unusual for us to do something like this," he said. "It makes it more sellable and easier to move forward with development permits when it's ready. The site is ideal for retail."

About 16 acres of the site would be covered by the stores and parking areas. The application includes a plan for two buildings of 102,000 and 96,000 square feet. A 1-acre outparcel is included at the corner.

The larger building would sit at the northof the site and face west toward Williamson Boulevard. The smaller building would sit at the southand face north, toward the parking lots.

Teeters said the company has a commitment from Wisconsin-based Continental Properties Inc. to "work" on the project when the timing is right.

Continental, which is based in the Milwaukee area, just as Kohl's is, has been building Kohl's Department Stores in the area.

A Kohl's is under construction in the Palm Coast Parkway Plaza at Palm Coast and Belle Terre parkways. No opening date has been released.

Another Kohl's is being built at the Westport Square shopping center in Port Orange near Taylor Road and Williamson Boulevard. It is slated to open in early October.

The only open Kohl's in the two-county region is in Orange City at Veterans Memorial Parkway and Harley Strickland Boulevard.

Continental also built a Publix Super Market and Sun Trust Bank on North Oceanshore Boulevard in Flagler County in 2005.

Consolidated Tomoka officials did attend a cursory development review meeting in January by Daytona Beach staff, city spokesperson Susan Cerbone said. The proposal featured three retail buildings. No other information has been filed with the city, she said.